The Jazz Era In India

The BBC posted a really interesting audio slideshow about Bombay's Jazz Age in the 1930s-40s, when American musicians came to India, and Indian musicians began playing jazz.  It features some fascinating images and stories of the people and style during this "East meets West" era. 

Sunrise Serenade: Kickin' The Gong Around

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was inspired by the pair of feral cats we feed.  They are a male and female that are very loyal to each other, so I named them Minnie the Moocher and Smokey Joe.  Here is another episode in the continuing saga of Minnie and Joe by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra:   "Kickin' The Gong Around."  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

How A (Large) Sign Was Painted In 1946

Modern Mechanix posted this article from the October 1946 issue of Popular Science, which explained how artists would "scale up" advertising images for painting on the sides of buildings in the days before digital billboards or even the large scale, pre-printed sheets hung on billboards today.

Sunrise Serenade: Brotherly Jump

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Brotherly Jump" by the combined orchestras of Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Playlist For January 25, 2012

The playlist for the January 25, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has just been added to the playlist filing cabinet.

World War II Bomber Jacket Art

Bomber crews during World War II not only decorated the nose of their aircraft ("nose art"), they also decorated their jackets.  The Jalopy Journal posted a series of photos from late in the war documenting the jacket designs.  As with some nose art, pretty girls feature prominently.  Bear in mind that bomber crews were males mostly between the ages of 18 and 23, a long way from home, and risking their lives every mission.  By today's standards, only one of the images is even the slightest bit risque, but no more than a PG rating.  My personal favorite is this one.  The design is a copy of a well known pin-up from one of the major artists whose name escapes me, but the name is the key.  What better name for a plane that has to fly through enemy anti-aircraft and fighters than "Mister Completely?"

Sunrise Serenade: Stompin' At The Savoy

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Stompin' At The Savoy" by Judy Garland.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Rags And Hops Abound

The Tiger Rag continues tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. at Rhitts on Rex with a $7 cover.  You can sign up now for the next round of Progressive Lindy Hop Lessons starting in February on Wednesday nights at 7:00.

Rhitts on Rex

5683 Rex Road

Memphis, TN 38117

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room with free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Mike T. and Kimmie, with music by Bethany.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

The Eiffel Tower As An Automobile Advertisement

I'll bet that if you picture the Eiffel Tower in your mind, it will not look like this photo.  Retronaut posted several pictures of the Paris landmark when it served as an advertisement for Citroen motorcars.  Apparently, the company rented the tower from 1925 to 1934, so for nearly nine years, the City of Light earned that name (at least in part) thanks to Citroen.

Way Down Yonder In New Orleans

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans" by the Spirits of Rhythm.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Popeye The Sailor: Blow Me Down

According to comments on the Internet Archive, this 1932 Popeye cartoon by Max Fleischer was one of the earliest made featuring the violent, spinach munching sailor.  Here is Blow Me Down.

1940s Ancestor Of The B2

Jack Northrop built a series of "Flying Wing" aircraft in the late '30s and early '40s.  Although they never went into military or commercial service, they did provide much of the groundwork for what eventually became the B-2 stealth bomber.  Modern Mechanix posted this article from the January 1942 issue of Mechanix Illustrated about one of Northrop Aircraft Company's prototypes.

Sunrise Serenade: Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!" by the Andrews Sisters.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.